Another Wedding Spinoff--Alcohol at Reception

[msjprincess]

If it's a kids only party with classmates etc... there's no alcohol. But if it's a party for family and friends where the whole family is attending there will be alcohol.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

 

[SirDuff]

Most showers here are early afternoon too. Isn't the purpose of "brunch" to drink (bloody mary's) during breakfast? LOL

 

[Liberty Belle]

Granted, I'm not the biggest drinker in the world (I would guess I average about 2 drinks every three months), but I can't understand why you would need to tell people if alcohol were going to be served or not. To me, if it's available (cash or open) it's a treat, but not something that would be important to know beforehand.

 

[Turn the Page]

This is us too. Most times the host starts the party off with alcohol and people BYOB also.

Us too. There is always alcohol. Generally it is only beer (often PBR because we're ultra classy like that) and a few bottles of wine but still, always something. At the Super Bowl party this year we had Italian margaritas that we had at F&W last year so that was fun.

 

[shoney]

Granted, I'm not the biggest drinker in the world (I would guess I average about 2 drinks every three months), but I can't understand why you would need to tell people if alcohol were going to be served or not. To me, if it's available (cash or open) it's a treat, but not something that would be important to know beforehand.

Would you invite people over for a backyard BBQ and not serve food? Would you tell them ahead of time that nothing will be served?

Having an open bar, especially at a party like a wedding, is the norm and it would be just as strange to not serve food.

 

[Liberty Belle]

There is no way in hell I can sit through a baby shower without a cocktail! Kidding!
But I cannot imagine hosting a party where adults will be present and NOT serving liquor.

Baby showers, bridal showers (held at restaurant or country club)
Going to a twins 1st birthday next weekend and there will be kegs.
Not sure I have ever attended a dry party except for alcoholics.

So bizarre to me. I've never been to a baby shower or bridal shower that served alcohol. And here for backyard bbqs, etc, there MAY be beer there, but it's definitely not a given and there is never anything else.

 

[Hikergirl]

I can't imagine it either. In our circle, alcohol is served or offered to adults.

Same here. I don't think I've ever been to a party at someone's home, even a kid's birthday party, where some kind of alcohol wasn't offered.

Not sure its an age thing, my family and friends all range from 40-50. I grew up with alcohol always there so its not really taboo or a big deal to have it at parties where kids are so I've never thought of not offering it to adults when kids are around.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Would you invite people over for a backyard BBQ and not serve food? Would you tell them ahead of time that nothing will be served?

Having an open bar, especially at a party like a wedding, is the norm and it would be just as strange to not serve food.

I don't equate alcohol with food. Drinks (water/juice/soda, etc) I would equate with food, but not alcohol. It's just very strange to me to hear differently.

BBQ = food being grilled, so yeah, if we were going to have a foodless BBQ, I'd tell people, but that's never going to happen - although now you've got me thinking...

 

[msjprincess]

Same here. I don't think I've ever been to a party at someone's home, even a kid's birthday party, where some kind of alcohol wasn't offered.

Not sure its an age thing, my family and friends all range from 40-50. I grew up with alcohol always there so its not really taboo or a big deal to have it at parties where kids are so I've never thought of not offering it to adults when kids are around.

I don't think it's an age thing either, I'm 50.

 

[CPanther95]

I don't equate alcohol with food. Drinks (water/juice/soda, etc) I would equate with food, but not alcohol. It's just very strange to me to hear differently.

BBQ = food being grilled, so yeah, if we were going to have a foodless BBQ, I'd tell people, but that's never going to happen - although now you've got me thinking...

BBQ = beer and soda available for drinking where I'm from. In fact, any time soda is appropriate, beer is always an option for adults.

The assumption is always that beer is available in the frig. It's the 2nd most popular beverage category below soft drinks and above water and coffee consumption.

 

[Hikergirl]

Granted, I'm not the biggest drinker in the world (I would guess I average about 2 drinks every three months), but I can't understand why you would need to tell people if alcohol were going to be served or not. To me, if it's available (cash or open) it's a treat, but not something that would be important to know beforehand.

I don't think you need to tell people IF its available, but if you are planning on having a cash bar you should let them know that so they can come prepared with cash.

 

[msjprincess]

I don't think you need to tell people IF its available, but if you are planning on having a cash bar you should let them know that so they can come prepared with cash.

MTE

I never have cash on me. So I would like to be prepared.

 

[CPanther95]

I don't think you need to tell people IF its available, but if you are planning on having a cash bar you should let them know that so they can come prepared with cash.

Yes.

In fact it's a good idea when you invite anyone for anything to let them know if you are expecting them to foot part of the bill.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Same here. I don't think I've ever been to a party at someone's home, even a kid's birthday party, where some kind of alcohol wasn't offered.

Not sure its an age thing, my family and friends all range from 40-50. I grew up with alcohol always there so its not really taboo or a big deal to have it at parties where kids are so I've never thought of not offering it to adults when kids are around.

I'm 33. Our friend circle ranges 20-40. Our family ranges from the 60s (who we call "the old heads") to early 20s (not including the small children). We've all grown up with alcohol being just as normal as having bottled water.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I don't equate alcohol with food. Drinks (water/juice/soda, etc) I would equate with food, but not alcohol. It's just very strange to me to hear differently.

BBQ = food being grilled, so yeah, if we were going to have a foodless BBQ, I'd tell people, but that's never going to happen - although now you've got me thinking...

I don't equate food with alcohol. I eat most meals without alcohol.

Inviting people to a bbq then not serving bbq, would be a big deal.

But I don't invite people to alcohol parties. So not serving alcohol wouldn't be a big deal.

I guess it really comes down to, what do people who expect alcohol to be served, do when it isn't?

 

[bcla]

Most showers here are early afternoon too. Isn't the purpose of "brunch" to drink (bloody mary's) during breakfast? LOL

I remember going to a newly opened restaurant for lunch on a Sunday. I was asking about their business, especially on a Sunday after churchgoers started piling in. The server said you'd be surprised, and that a lot of little old ladies coming in from church love their bloody Mary's.

 

[CPanther95]

I guess it really comes down to, what do people who expect alcohol to be served, do when it isn't?

You drink a soda then agree with all the other guests to host the next BBQ at my house - or one of theirs.

 

[Hikergirl]

I don't equate food with alcohol. I eat most meals without alcohol.

Inviting people to a bbq then not serving bbq, would be a big deal.

But I don't invite people to alcohol parties. So not serving alcohol wouldn't be a big deal.

I guess it really comes down to, what do people who expect alcohol to be served, do when it isn't?

Well we either get all pissy and leave and find somewhere to have a drink or we just have something else to drink that isn't alcohol

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I don't equate food with alcohol. I eat most meals without alcohol.

Inviting people to a bbq then not serving bbq, would be a big deal.

But I don't invite people to alcohol parties. So not serving alcohol wouldn't be a big deal.

I guess it really comes down to, what do people who expect alcohol to be served, do when it isn't?

Drink something else. There's times I go to a party that has alcohol and don't drink because I'm the DD or I have my children or I'm just not in the mood to drink.

But it's highly unusual to have any type of party (that isn't at a kids party place) or a get together without alcohol, in my circle. Even one of the indoor water parks in the area that throws tons of kids birthday parties has a bar next to the water slide.